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This site provides an
overview of U.S. Vintage Trolley (a.k.a. Heritage Trolley) operations. From these pages you can visit the impressive variety of systems now
in regular operation and learn about proposals for new systems.
Each page links to websites covering the individual systems and new information is being
added continuously, so check back regularly. Contributions are
always welcome.
What
is a Vintage Trolley?
A Vintage Trolley is regularly-scheduled
public transportation using genuine
historic or replica electric railway cars in an urban environment, which
is operated independently from an established railway or trolley museum.
The cars run on rails and operate electrically from overhead wires or a mobile generator.
Vintage Trolleys are part of
the ongoing renaissance which is bringing new life to America's urban
centers. As more and more Americans return to the city, the need for new
urban transportation solutions grows ever more important. Transportation
is the key to creating great public places- and cities across the
country are taking a new look at an old idea, the city streetcar.
Whether applied in the form of a Vintage Trolley or a Modern Streetcar,
the goal of helping build livable communities remains the same.
Vintage Trolleys provide an authentic historic trolley experience that mixes
urban transportation with visitor entertainment. The ratio of this
mixture varies widely; on some systems the trolleys are operated as part of the local transit
system and provide a full-fledged transportation function. Other operations are
quite small, and are primarily operated as a tourist attraction, often
by a local non-profit.
Why
are Trolley / Streetcar systems being built?
While each system is
different, the development of a trolley/streetcar operation is usually driven by the
need to provide attractive short-trip urban circulation, while
facilitating economic development. A trolley/streetcar is a proven
way to attract "choice" riders (riders who have ready access
to a car and are not transit dependent), a significant advantage
over rubber-tired alternatives. By connecting together activity
centers, parking and other forms of transit with convenient service
levels, the line can become the key to creating a vibrant cityscape that
is attractive to residents and retailers alike.
With a well-chosen route,
both Vintage Trolley and Modern Streetcar systems have an
excellent track record of being a catalyst for change and helping
communities maximize public/private investment. This is due in part to the
fixed
nature of the rail infrastructure, it implies permanence- it's going to be there for a long
time. It's also highly visible, has an easily understood route, and the
quiet, pollution-free electric trolleys blend in well with the community.
Vintage Trolley systems in
particular are
also much less expensive to build and operate than conventional rail
systems. Infrastructure is simpler, consistent with the trolley's lower
speeds and circulator function. Because it is easily integrated into the built urban
environment, Vintage Trolley costs significantly less per mile than higher capacity,
longer-distance Light Rail systems. Both have their roles to play in the
public transit arena of course, and some cities are using Vintage Trolley as a precursor to a new
Light Rail system, offering a low-cost
"demonstrator" line that can later be extended or incorporated into a
larger system.
Replica
trolley cars
One of the most exciting
aspects of today's Vintage Trolley systems are the replica trolley cars
being offered by companies such as the Gomaco Trolley Company of Ida Grove, Iowa.
Replica cars have also been produced in-house; the New Orleans RTA partnered with supplier Brookville
Equipment and built 23 of its own cars in 2002. Other cities, such
as Philadelphia, opted for a total rebuilds of vintage PCC type
streetcars (in this case 18 cars by Brookville Equipment), applying new
running gear and control equipment to create an almost new car. Costs for
a replica trolley from Gomaco currently range around $870,000 for an air conditioned
double-truck car (using rebuilt vintage running gear and modern control
equipment). A typical diesel transit bus costs about half as much, but has a shorter service
life (17 years vs. 25 for trolley / streetcar / LRV). A modern
light rail vehicle or modern streetcar costs from $3 - $3.5M.
Go to the Replica
Trolley Cars page for a complete roster of all replica cars built to
date, with facts and figures (including cost) on each.
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